Liz went to bed early and I read. Every so often Liz conducted a bed search, she was being bitten in bed and the mossy net was firmly tucked in. Despite numerous detailed searches nothing could be seen. The next day I awoke to Liz scratching, poor thing was covered in itchy bites. I had to say something despite feeling bad. John and Sissy (his wife) said they are caused by ants or something called "Stink Billy". The matress was taken outside to be zapped by the ...

The alarm rang at 6am, although it was not needed as an army of cockrels were doing their pre pre dawn practice wake up calls. There was an electric storm all through the night and is still going on. The deep deafening rumbles and being on a volcanic island does play havoc with your imagination. John Tasso (the guide) didn't think it would be a good idea to go up the volcano so we are staying put. Due to the flight cancellations we missed the good weather windo...

Ambrym - the black island. This refers to the black soil and sand that covers the island from twin active volcanos. When you see this we will be off the island and safe. Not that it is irresponsibly dangerous, there are two types of volcanos and this is the safer type - if that applies to volcanos. I liken this to the risk of being hit by lightening. Last night (in Luganville) we met a group of Aussies that were also affected by the plane problems (though they...

TIV (This Is Vanuatu) - yes you guessed it, the flight has been cancelled again! As the sun is shining they had to admit that it is their problem. The first cancellation was put down to the weather - but I smell a rat. They were relunctant to say the flight would go when the weather improved and they let it slip that there was also aircraft problems. The airlines offer to put us up for the night compounded the problem. The place they took us was very cheap (t...

We are back in the relative luxury of Luganville, with cafes, restaurants and a ATM (there are only two places in Vanuatu that you can get cash and you cannot use plastic). We are only here to get a flight and provisions for the next island. Luganville is full of divers that come to dive the numerous WWII wecks around here (not our scene). The next island has no ATMs, two shops, food shortages and very basic accomodation. Liz has been buying supplies: mosy coil...